potable gold
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From potable + gold. From being something drinkable that is like gold.
- (alchemy): from being an elixir that confers the untarnishability and eternity of gold to a person
Noun
[edit]- (alchemy) A theoretical substance which would confer eternal life on the drinker.
- 2002, Philip Ball, The Elements: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford, published 2004, page 60:
- This tradition found its way to the West in the notion of ‘potable gold’ (aurum potabile), a medicine that, if drunk, would cure all manner of ills.
- (historical) A preparation consisting of gold particles in oil and alcohol.
Synonyms
[edit]- (drink conferring eternal life): elixir of life
Translations
[edit]theoretical substance
drink consisting of gold particles in oil and alcohol
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
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